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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2

Portability
88
Imaging
35
Features
51
Overall
41
Olympus XZ-1 front
 
Pentax ist DS2 front
Portability
68
Imaging
44
Features
33
Overall
39

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Key Specs

Olympus XZ-1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/1.63" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor-shift Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • 28-112mm (F1.8-2.5) lens
  • 275g - 111 x 65 x 42mm
  • Launched January 2011
Pentax ist DS2
(Full Review)
  • 6MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 200 - 3200
  • Pentax KAF Mount
  • 605g - 125 x 93 x 66mm
  • Introduced August 2005
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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Olympus XZ-1 versus Pentax ist DS2, former is a Small Sensor Compact while the latter is a Advanced DSLR by rivals Olympus and Pentax. There is a substantial difference between the sensor resolutions of the XZ-1 (10MP) and ist DS2 (6MP) and the XZ-1 (1/1.63") and ist DS2 (APS-C) use totally different sensor dimensions.

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The XZ-1 was unveiled 5 years after the ist DS2 which is quite a big difference as far as tech is concerned. Both cameras come with different body type with the Olympus XZ-1 being a Compact camera and the Pentax ist DS2 being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before diving in to a in depth comparison, below is a concise introduction of how the XZ-1 grades versus the ist DS2 in regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus XZ-1 over the Pentax ist DS2

 XZ-1 ist DS2 
IntroducedJanuary 2011August 2005More modern by 67 months
Screen dimension3"2.5"Bigger screen (+0.5")
Screen resolution614k210kSharper screen (+404k dot)

Reasons to pick Pentax ist DS2 over the Olympus XZ-1

 ist DS2 XZ-1 

Common features in the Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax ist DS2

 XZ-1 ist DS2 
Manual focus More exact focus
Screen typeFixed Fixed Fixed screen
Selfie screen No selfie screen
Touch friendly screen No Touch friendly screen

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Physical Comparison

When you are intending to carry around your camera frequently, you will have to consider its weight and size. The Olympus XZ-1 has got outside measurements of 111mm x 65mm x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") having a weight of 275 grams (0.61 lbs) while the Pentax ist DS2 has specifications of 125mm x 93mm x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6") with a weight of 605 grams (1.33 lbs).

See the Olympus XZ-1 versus Pentax ist DS2 in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will vary dependant on the lens you are utilizing during that time. The following is the front view overall size comparison of the XZ-1 vs the ist DS2.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 size comparison

Using size and weight, the portability grade of the XZ-1 and ist DS2 is 88 and 68 respectively.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 top view buttons comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Sensor Comparison

Often, it is very difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes merely by looking at specs. The pic here will offer you a clearer sense of the sensor sizing in the XZ-1 and ist DS2.

As you can plainly see, both of these cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The XZ-1 with its tinier sensor will make getting shallow depth of field harder and the Olympus XZ-1 will resolve greater detail having an extra 4MP. Higher resolution can also help you crop shots much more aggressively. The newer XZ-1 will have an edge with regard to sensor tech.

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 sensor size comparison

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Portrait photography factors
Pentax ist DS2 Portrait photography factors
45
you can focus manually
features face detect focus
saves RAW files
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
50
has manual focus
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
does not have liveview
megapixel count low (6 megapixels)
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Olympus XZ-1
Street photography with Pentax ist DS2
59
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
no moving screen
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
more heavy than others in class (275g)
60
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
lighter than others in class (605g)
no moving screen
lack of image stabilization
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Sports Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Sports photography advice
Pentax ist DS2 Sports photography advice
38
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features tracking focus
great battery (320 CIPA)
max fps low (2.0 fps)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
does not have phase detect auto focus
38
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
does not have liveview
very slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
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Travel Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Travel photography highlights
Pentax ist DS2 Travel photography highlights
62
great battery (320 per charge)
built-in flash
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
missing Timelapse function
more heavy than others in class (275g)
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
screen isn't selfie friendly
52
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
has built in flash
missing Timelapse recording
megapixel count low (6MP)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
Photography Glossary

Landscape Comparison

Olympus XZ-1 Landscape photography info
Pentax ist DS2 Landscape photography info
54
you can focus manually
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
screen size is decent (3 inch)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
saves RAW files
great battery (320 per charge)
cannot change lenses (fixed lens mount)
low resolution sensor (10MP)
sensor is tiny (1/1.63")
missing Timelapse function
46
has manual focus
change lenses (Pentax KAF mount)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
delivers RAW formats
tiny screen (2.5")
does not have liveview
lack of image stabilization
megapixel count low (6MP)
missing Timelapse recording
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Olympus XZ-1
Vlogging with Pentax ist DS2
31
reasonably wide (28mm)
great maximum aperture (f1.8)
image stabilization (Sensor-shift)
features face detect focus
screen isn't selfie friendly
video res low (1280 x 720 pixels)
missing microphone support
more heavy than others in class (275g)
22
lighter than others in class (605 grams)
does not contain selfie friendly screen
lack of image stabilization
low video resolution ( pixels)
missing external microphone jack
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Olympus XZ-1 vs Pentax ist DS2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus XZ-1 and Pentax ist DS2
 Olympus XZ-1Pentax ist DS2
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Pentax
Model type Olympus XZ-1 Pentax ist DS2
Type Small Sensor Compact Advanced DSLR
Launched 2011-01-26 2005-08-22
Body design Compact Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Powered by TruePic V -
Sensor type CCD CCD
Sensor size 1/1.63" APS-C
Sensor measurements 8.07 x 5.56mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor surface area 44.9mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 6 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Peak resolution 3664 x 2752 3008 x 2008
Highest native ISO 6400 3200
Lowest native ISO 100 200
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 11
Lens
Lens mount type fixed lens Pentax KAF
Lens zoom range 28-112mm (4.0x) -
Maximal aperture f/1.8-2.5 -
Macro focusing distance 1cm -
Number of lenses - 151
Crop factor 4.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Screen size 3" 2.5"
Screen resolution 614k dot 210k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech OLED -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Optical
Viewfinder coverage - 95 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 30s
Fastest shutter speed 1/2000s 1/4000s
Continuous shutter speed 2.0 frames per sec 3.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 8.60 m (ISO 800) -
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
Hot shoe
AEB
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment metering
Average metering
Spot metering
Partial metering
AF area metering
Center weighted metering
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) -
Highest video resolution 1280x720 -
Video file format Motion JPEG -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None No
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 1.0 (1.5 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 275 gr (0.61 pounds) 605 gr (1.33 pounds)
Dimensions 111 x 65 x 42mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.7") 125 x 93 x 66mm (4.9" x 3.7" x 2.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 34 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 18.8 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 117 not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs -
Battery format Battery Pack -
Battery ID Li-50B 4 x AA
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC SD/MMC card
Storage slots 1 1
Pricing at release $567 -